The Local Anthropology

[lt13demi]

In the early colonial periods of North America and North Africa, the French were simply enamored with the locals! Was this as true in Indochina??

Many of the French who ventured to North America became very "native" with the locals. This was one of their reasons for being so successful in their ability to form alliances among the varied natives. Even moreso than the English or Spanish who were at odds with the French for most of the 17th and 18th century. French influence among the natives was very prevelant in customs and language. The Muskoegean Mobilian trade language of the tribes in the area that was to become the southeastern United States, was infused with many French words and phrases. It was also influenced greatly by the Spanish language.

Great Britain's goal was to gain territory, Spain's was to save their souls (and find a little gold along the way) , and basically the French were there in an attempt to take as much from the land as possible in an attempt to get rich! Unfortunately the colonial holdings never brough any spare change to any of the Bourbons at Versailles. Matter of fact they always went in the hole pumping additional cash into the colonies. All the colonial holdings were presided over by extremely lucrative trade concessions, sactioned by the crown.

But that's not to say that nobody got rich. Louis Juchreau de St. Denis, local trader in Natchitoches Louisiana died in 1745 owing the crown over 45,000 francs. But yet he died the richest man in all "La Louisianne". Remember Louisiana covered territory from the Gulf of Mexico to the Great lakes and the lands to the west.

Look at this infusion in North Africa. Especially in the military. Zouaves units in the French army (and later other armies), Spahis, and all the other colonial troops! I know that their were many colonial Viet units early on.

But I would love to hear from those who had personal experience with the natives in Indochina. Did those early French in Indochina infuse themselves in the local customs as they did elsewhere??? I read Indochina was always considered THE place to get duty when serving in the Legion.

Renault

[fmf]

I recall part French people in Virt Nam . and beautiful eurasion women , but I was not really around any real cities and culture

[Legion Etrangere]

But I would love to hear from those who had personal experience with the natives in Indochina. Did those early French in Indochina infuse themselves in the local customs as they did elsewhere

Bob,

A friend of mine who lives in Houston (ex-SF Major, "A" Team leader, Ha Thahn, 1969-70) was probably one of those who had gone native. When he settled down here in Houston, I remember going to lunch with him at a local Vietnamese restaurant. The waiter noticed his Montangard bracelet and there was a flurry of activity in the back; eventually a very old former striker emerged and talked with my friend about his service in Vietnam, "re-education" under the victors and his eventual escape to Thailand. I am sure there are thousands of other stories of others who submerged themselves into the culture of Vietnam both from the First and Second Indochina War.

/martini/

[sgtjeanvaljean]

Mick, I guess the major in question when properly primed with good red would be able to remember more of those days (the good parts) which is good for the soul unlike (the bad parts) those that we have when we are alone in the dark with just our thoughts.

Papa

[lew]

I can't speak much for the French presence in Indochina, but, in North Africa, they were never well-received. The resistance to the initial invasion and conquering was fierce, as the people of Northa Africa are traditionally very independent.

The attitude of the French can only be described as mostly exploitative, and the natives had some very genuine grievances as the basis for their insurrection and rebellion. Some benefits were derived of the French settlement, though. The birthrate soared, but life was still brutal for the average Algerian. A genuine attachment to the locals, unlike North America, was never commonplace, and the relationship was more adversarial and competitive than cordial.

To clarify, Zouaves and Spahis were comprised of Europeans only, mainly drawn from the settler populations of North Africa. Tirailleur (Marocains, Algerien, Sénégalais, etc...) regiments were of mixed composition.